[Femoral venous catheterization. Does it really need to be avoided?]

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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Femoral Arterial and Venous Catheterization for Blood Sampling, Drug Administration and Conscious Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Measurements
09:38

Femoral Arterial and Venous Catheterization for Blood Sampling, Drug Administration and Conscious Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Measurements

Published on: January 24, 2012

L Lorente1, C León

  • 1Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, La Laguna, Tenerife, España. lorentemartin@msn.com

Medicina Intensiva
|November 20, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Current guidelines recommend subclavian vein access to prevent central venous catheter bloodstream infections (CVCBSI), but this may increase mechanical complications. Antimicrobial-impregnated catheters could be an alternative for femoral venous access to reduce CVCBSI rates.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Medical Guidelines

Background:

  • Established guidelines from CDC, SEMICYUC/SEIMC, and SHEA/IDSA recommend specific central venous catheter (CVC) insertion sites to prevent bloodstream infections (CVCBSI).
  • These guidelines advocate for subclavian vein use while discouraging femoral vein access.
  • Consideration is also given to antiseptic- or antimicrobial-impregnated CVCs in high-risk settings for CVCBSI prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the potential trade-offs of current CVCBSI prevention guidelines, specifically the increased risk of mechanical complications with subclavian vein preference.
  • To explore the efficacy of antimicrobial-impregnated CVCs as a strategy to prevent CVCBSI when femoral venous access is utilized.

Main Methods:

  • Review and analysis of existing guidelines on central venous catheter insertion practices and infection prevention.
  • Assessment of the potential association between preferred insertion sites (subclavian vs. femoral) and mechanical complication rates.
  • Evaluation of the role and effectiveness of antimicrobial-impregnated CVCs in preventing CVCBSI, particularly with alternative access sites.

Main Results:

  • Increased utilization of the subclavian vein may lead to a reduction in CVCBSI.
  • Conversely, a higher incidence of mechanical complications such as pneumothorax and hemothorax may occur with increased subclavian vein use.
  • Antimicrobial-impregnated CVCs present a potential alternative for preventing CVCBSI when femoral venous access is necessary.

Conclusions:

  • The current emphasis on subclavian vein access for CVC insertion may inadvertently increase mechanical complication risks.
  • Antimicrobial-impregnated CVCs offer a promising strategy to mitigate CVCBSI risks, especially when femoral access is chosen.
  • Further research is warranted to balance the risks and benefits of different CVC insertion sites and catheter types in infection prevention.

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